Kenya county governments shut down over revenue

Kenya’s county governments will send most staff on leave as they stop non-essential services because of a lack of money caused by an ongoing stalemate over the distribution of central government funds.

The council of governors on Wednesday advised counties to send staff on a fortnight’s leave and stop admitting patients to county hospitals.

The county governments are in charge of health services whose provision will be affected by the planned shut down.

Already Machakos county governor Alfred Mutua has announced that all non-essential county staff will proceed on leave as they wait for money from the central government.

The exchequer has not distributed money because the senate is yet to agree on a revenue sharing formula and pass the revenue bill.

Kenya’s constitution introduced in 2010 created 47 counties in order to devolve state power and bring services closer to the people.